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Emily’s Story
Emily came to Hertford Baptist Church with her parents when she was just two years old. She enjoyed the children’s groups and Bible stories, from Noah’s ark to David and Goliath, and believed every word without question. However, after moving to high school, she began to question her faith. How could she be sure that God existed? And whilst it hurt to consider that God might not exist, she could not get away from the implausibility of it all. She wanted all her questions to be answered and absolute proof that God existed.
Her dilemma continued until she was sixteen years old, almost certainly convinced that God existed but unwilling or unable to take a final step of faith. She listened to sermons and debated in the youth group, hoping to hear or read something that would eradicate all doubt.
Her dilemma continued until she was sixteen years old, almost certainly convinced that God existed but unwilling or unable to take a final step of faith. She listened to sermons and debated in the youth group, hoping to hear or read something that would eradicate all doubt.
Around this time Emily’s grandfather became sick. The dignity and calm with which he approached death and the certainty and conviction of his Christian beliefs, shone through. At that moment Emily realised and finally accepted what she already knew to be true. “I wanted proof”, she said; “But God had created the universe and sent his son, Jesus, to save me. How much more proof did I need?”
Emily then began to see God at work in her life. On a trekking expedition to South America in 2009, she and her friends were waiting to board a bus when some people came running into the station screaming that men were outside firing guns. Amidst the pandemonium, fear and panic Emily experienced complete calm, the assurance that no harm would come to her, and that God was watching over them.
Two years later Emily sensed an inner prompting to be baptised. Jesus’ words from Mark 5:36 encouraged her: “Do not be afraid; just believe.” She procrastinated at first but finally, in December 2010, some words from 1 Kings 18:21 spoke powerfully to her: “How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, then follow him!”
She said she experienced the presence of God more powerfully than she had ever done before and knew with utter conviction what she needed to do next. And so it was that on Easter Sunday morning 2011, after sharing her personal story with a packed church, Emily was baptised.
Emily then began to see God at work in her life. On a trekking expedition to South America in 2009, she and her friends were waiting to board a bus when some people came running into the station screaming that men were outside firing guns. Amidst the pandemonium, fear and panic Emily experienced complete calm, the assurance that no harm would come to her, and that God was watching over them.
Two years later Emily sensed an inner prompting to be baptised. Jesus’ words from Mark 5:36 encouraged her: “Do not be afraid; just believe.” She procrastinated at first but finally, in December 2010, some words from 1 Kings 18:21 spoke powerfully to her: “How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the Lord is God, then follow him!”
She said she experienced the presence of God more powerfully than she had ever done before and knew with utter conviction what she needed to do next. And so it was that on Easter Sunday morning 2011, after sharing her personal story with a packed church, Emily was baptised.